Brands & Categories

Hammer-Time Christmas 2018 Auction

There were no turkeys to be found in our Christmas 2018 Global Whisky Auction, with an exceptional collection of stocking-fillers and toasting drams won to bring in an exciting new whisky year. Without buyers having to sift through over 9,000 bottles at a time, our small but perfectly formed Christmas auction once again proved that visibility is the key for sellers to achieve the best price for their bottles.

Leading the way was a rare edition of the almost legendary Karuizawa, recently named the whisky least likely to be found dousing a Christmas pudding. The final hammer price of £6,850, the highest price ever achieved at auction for this Karuizawa, might very soon considered a bargain considering the escalation in value of Karuizawa recently. Meanwhile, the highly-regarded if somewhat less rare Chichubu Paris Edition managed an excellent £500, and the Hibiki Harmony 30th Anniversary Edition earned a spectacular £585.

Like roast potatoes, Macallan remains the key component of any good plate of whisky auction goodness. With all of the Easter Elchies excitement over the last few months, it was fitting that the first edition, the Special Reserve 1985, pulled in an impressive £2,625. A special 1972 vintage of the Macallan 18 Year Old likewise achieve £2,600.

Big Islay bottlings continue to bring in the gravy for those lucky enough to own them. The magnificent Bowmore 25 Year Old Gulls achieved £700 on the dot, while the imperious and increasingly valuable Ardbeg Lord of the Isles 25 Year Old gained £895. The value of Bruichladdich continues to sprout, with the 1986 30 Year Old Magnificent Seven excelling with a final price of £650. A bottle of Port Ellen still earns enough to cover a prize-winning pig with a particularly thick blanket, with indie bottlings like the 1980 First Cask able to achieve an enviable £430.

Wrapping things up, three old editions of Blanton’s pulled in prices over £550, while older editions of staples including the Dalmore Cigar Malt 2000s release are quickly accumulating in value. While new releases turned over quickly can become great value for collectors and investors alike, it shows that there is also an accumulation of value for those who prefer to allow their collections to gather dust in the cupboard.